Story
This freighter was built in 1882 by Campbell, Mackintosh & Bowstead in Newcastle-on-Tyne.
Historical Notes
In November 1904 this vessel sustained serious damage when shit struck Ripple Rock BC Canada. This vessel was rebuilt by the Army for laying communications cable, first in the Philippines and then in Alaska. These cables were operated by the US Army Signals Corps for the Washington-Alaska Military Cable and Telegraph System (WAMCATS).
In 1903 the ship strung underwater cable between Sitka and Juneau, and the following year continued laying it to Seattle. Broken up in 1924 by General Metals Co., Oakland CA.
Owners & Masters
In 1882-1891 she was owned by Wilhelm Lund (Blue Anchor Line), London UK.
In 1891 she was owned by Vapores Serra, Bilboa Spain. On May 8, 1898 she was captured by the USS Yale during the Spanish-American War.
She was acquired by the United States Quartermaster Department on July 8, 1898 from the U.S. Prize Court and assigned to the United States Army Transport Service.
Masters
Captain A.H. Laffin (1905); Captain A.N. Walton (1905);
Name Significance
Nmaned for Major General Ambrose P. Burnside, commander of the Army of the Potomac 1862-63
Rebuilds
In 1900 she was converted to a cable ship.
Repower
Reowered in 1887 with a triple reciprocating steam engine by Wigham Richardson & Co, Low Walker UK.
References
- atlantic-cable.com ↗
- www.navsource.org ↗
- The Province (Vancouver BC Canada) Thursday January 19, 1905 Page 9
- www.tynebuiltships.co.uk ↗ (website viewed 29/07/2023)
